Adjustable and convertible end piece for watch bands



s. MEYERSON 3,039,162

ADJUSTABLE AND CONVERTIBLE END PIECE FOR WATCH BANDS June 19, 1962 FiledMay 25, 1959 Nw a,

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ite Stats This invention relates to an end piece for watch bands whichmay be made adjustable so as to fit watch end pieces of different widthsbetween the end lugs, and which may also be made in the form of aconvertible end piece adapted for use with Watches having either curvedor rectangular lines. The adjustable feature may be used without thefeature of convertibility from the curved to the rectangular shape, andvice versa, although it is most desirable to embody both of these novelcharacteristics in a single construction.

Both the adjustable and convertible features are of important utility inwatch band construction, as they enable a band with a single type ofattaching member to be fitted to watches of different sizes and shapes.This enables the dealer to limit the number of watch band models whichhe must stock in order to equip watches of various sizes and styles withproperly fitted bands. In the absence of the bands embodying the presentinvention, it is necessary for the dealer to stock a separate type ofattachrnent for each size and shape of watch. As there are at leastthree commonly used sizes of watch end pieces (in mens watches only),each of which may be made in either curved or rectilinear shape, itmeans that six times as many watch band ends would be required as arenecessary if the present universal type of watch band end piece is used.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates one preferred embodimentof the invention:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a watch rim having a curvedsurface betwen the end lugs of the watch with a band end piece embodyingthe present invention fitted thereto;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation of the terminal link of the watch bandcarrying the novel end piece;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the parts shown in FIG. 1 taken from the insideof the band;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are an end view and elevation, respectively, of one of theextension tubes used in the watch band end piece. This may be termed theright hand tube;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are views in elevation and end view, respectively, of thecompanion extension tube which may be termed the left hand tube;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are a view in elevation and an end view, respectively,showing the extension tube of the form shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, reversedso as to show the position of the tube when used with a straight-sidedwatch end;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a portion of the hinge sleeve of the endpiece viewed from the under side;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the watch band end pieceadjusted for use with a watch having -a rectilinear surface between theend lugs.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the watch case is shown at 20 andis provided with end lugs 22. FIG- URES 1 and 3 show a watch case inwhich the surface 24 between the end lugs is curved, this being thecustomary shape used with circular or oval watch cases. In someinstances, however, as shown in FIG. 11, the surface 24a between the endlugs may be straight, this being the most common form where the watchcase itself is of more or less rectilinear shape. Watch cases alsodiffer in size and in the distance between the end lugs 22. Threespacings are common in the trade for mens watches- /s inch, 3 inch, andinch. in accordance with the ice present invention a watch band endpiece is provided Which properly fit either form of watch end in any ofthe three sizes named. Of course if other sizes of watches were made,the watch band attachment could be constructed to fit them.

In the construction shown, the watch band end piece comprises a tubularportion 26 which may be termed a hinge sleeve and which is permanentlyattached in any suitable manner to an end member or link plate 28 of thewatch band. As shown, the sleeve has an upper flange portion 30 the endof which is passed through a slot 32 in the plate 28 and bent tightlyaround the portion of the plate below the slot. The plate 28 may beattached to or form part of a watch band of any desired type, preferablyan expansible band, although the invention may be used with anybandexpansible or otherwise. The hinge sleeve 26 in the form showncomprises a front portion 34 which is shown as of the same width as theend of the watch band indicated by shell member 36 fixed to the plate28. The hinge sleeve is bent around to form a bottom portion 3 8 and anupwardly curved back portion 40 which terminates just below the bottomof the plate 28. At each end the upwardly curved back of the hingesleeve 26 is cut away to provide a series of adjusting notches 42, 44and 46. At the outer end of the notch 42 is a tongue 48 having slopedwall portions 50 and 52. Separating the notches 42 and 46 is a tongue54, and adjacent to the notch 44 is a wall 56. At the outer end beyondthe notch 44 is a wall 58. Between the tongue 48 and the wall 58 is aspace permitting the entrance of an offset tongue 60 formed on anextension tube 62 or 64.

Removably mounted in the ends of the hinge sleeve 26 are a pair ofextension tubes 62 and 64 which are alike except that they are made asrights and lefts and are interchangeable in the ends of the hingesleeve. The tubes 62 and 64 are each provided with a bendable tongue 60,and each has a portion '66- which will slide into the end of the hingesleeve, and a portion 68 which is enlarged at one side so as to providea surface 70 more or less curved in outline. When the extension tubes 62and 64 are inserted in the sleeve in relative positions shown in FIGS. 1and 3, the watch band end piece presents a substantially curved surfacemore or less conforming to the complementary curved watch surface 24. Byremoving the tubes 62 and 64, inverting them and interchanging them,they may be re-inserted in the hinge sleeve, as shown in FIG. 11. Wheninserted in this position the end of the band attachment represented bythe surface 38 of the hinge sleeve, and the straight sides of theextension tubes 62 and 64, presents a substantially straight lineconforming with the rectilinear surface 24a of the watch case.

The reversible feature of the extension tubes may be employed withoutmeans providing for adjustment of these tubes so as to fit watcheshaving different distances between the end lugs. However, the tubes maybe very conveniently used as a means for providing adjustable width forthe watch band end connection. In the construction illustrated, thestraight portions 66 of the tubes may be slid in and out, more or less,in the hinge sleeve 26 and may be locked in adjusted position therein bymeans of the bendable tongues 60 which may be engaged with any one ofthe notches 42, 44 or 46 in which they are secured by bending of thetongue. The watch band end piece may thus be made to properly fitbetween watch case end lugs of different spacing such as the usualcorresponding with the positions of the tongues 60 in notches 46; inwhich the tongues rest against the walls 56; and A where the tongues areengagegd with the notches 42. The watch band end piece may be securedbetween the end lugs in any suitable manner, as by the usual springpinch pin 72. When the extension tubes are to be removed andinterchanged, the tongues 60 are moved out through the spaces betweenthe tongues 4-8 and the walls 58, and are pushed over the inclinedsurfaces 52. Once the end piece of the band has been mounted between theend lugs on the watch, the extension tubes cannot move out beyond thewidth determined by the spacing of the watch end lugs. They Will bemaintained, however, in the full outward extension positions required bythe engagement of the tongues 60 with the proper notches.

While I have illustrated and described in detail a certain preferredform of my invention, it is to be understood that changes may be madetherein and the invention embodied in other structures. I do not,therefore, desire to limit myself to the specific constructionillustrated, but intend to cover my invention broadly in whatever formits principles may be embodied.

I claim:

1. An end piece for watch bands comprising a hinge sleeve for attachmentto an end of a watch band, and extension tubes mounted in the hingesleeve, the extension tubes each having a portion extending from one endof the tube to an intermediate point thereof and fitting into saidsleeve, and a portion gradually enlarged at one .side of its axis only,from said intermediate point to its outer end, so as to provide asubstantially curved outline for the watch band end piece when theextension tubes are fitted into the sleeve with the enlarged portions ofthe extension tubes directed away from the end of the band and toprovide a substantially straight outline when the extension tubes arereversed so that the enlarged portions thereof are directed towards theend of the band.

2. A construction as claimed in claim 1 in which the extension tubeshave front faces difierent from the back formations thereof, theextension tubes being formed as rights and lefts so that wheninterchanged in the hinge sleeve they may be mounted therein with theirfront faces always exposed towards the front of the band but with theenlarged portions directed either towards or away from the end of theband.

3. A construction as claimed in claim 2 in which the back formations ofthe extension tubes are provided with tongues, the hinge sleeve beingprovided with a series of notches which may be selectively engaged bythe tongues of the extension tubes.

4. A construction as claimed in claim 1 in which the extension tubes andhinge sleeve are provided with interlocking formations for locking theextension tubes in adjusted position in the hinge sleeve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,725,786 Eldund Aug. 27, 1929 2,652,612 Valcourt Sept. 22, 19532,653,369 Rodriguez Sept. 29, 1953 2,807,855 Rodriguez Oct. -1, 19572,883,727 Obst Apr. 28, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 298,954 Switzerland Aug. 2,1954

